Build food storage on a budget

Choose a target and how many weeks you'd like to spread it over. You'll get a short list for each week, starting with water and food that needs no cooking.

Who's at home?

Adults

Children

Pets

Saved in this browser for the other tools.

Add your own prices (optional)

Type what your store charges. We never show prices of our own. These stay in this browser.

Your weekly budget, $

Water jug1 gallon

Baked beans16 oz can

Corned beef12 oz can

Peanut butter16 oz jar

Saltine crackers16 oz box

Mixed nuts10 oz can

Raisins12 oz box

White rice2 lb bag

Dried pasta16 oz box

Rolled oats42 oz canister

Dry lentils16 oz bag

Chickpeas15 oz can

Example: two adults, two children, 2 weeks over 8 weeks

133 items, about 17 a week.

Week 1

6 × Water jug (1 gallon)
5 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
1 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
1 × Saltine crackers (16 oz box)
1 × Raisins (12 oz box)
1 × Mixed nuts (10 oz can)
1 × Peanut butter (16 oz jar)

After this week: about 1.4 days of food, 1.5 days of water.

Week 2

5 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
2 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
2 × Saltine crackers (16 oz box)
2 × Raisins (12 oz box)
4 × Water jug (1 gallon)
1 × Mixed nuts (10 oz can)
1 × Peanut butter (16 oz jar)

After this week: about 3.4 days of food, 2.5 days of water.

Week 3

8 × Water jug (1 gallon)
4 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
1 × Dried pasta (16 oz box)
1 × White rice (2 lb bag)
1 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
1 × Dry lentils (16 oz bag)

After this week: about 4.7 days of food, 4.5 days of water.

Week 4

7 × Water jug (1 gallon)
2 × Dried pasta (16 oz box)
1 × Rolled oats (42 oz canister)
1 × Peanut butter (16 oz jar)
3 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
1 × White rice (2 lb bag)
1 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
1 × Dry lentils (16 oz bag)

After this week: about 7.1 days of food, 6.3 days of water.

Week 5

9 × Water jug (1 gallon)
2 × White rice (2 lb bag)
4 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
2 × Dried pasta (16 oz box)

After this week: about 8.7 days of food, 8.5 days of water.

Week 6

1 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
1 × Dry lentils (16 oz bag)
1 × Rolled oats (42 oz canister)
1 × Peanut butter (16 oz jar)
7 × Water jug (1 gallon)
2 × Dried pasta (16 oz box)
2 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
1 × White rice (2 lb bag)

After this week: about 11.1 days of food, 10.3 days of water.

Week 7

4 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
8 × Water jug (1 gallon)
2 × White rice (2 lb bag)
1 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
1 × Dry lentils (16 oz bag)
1 × Dried pasta (16 oz box)

After this week: about 12.9 days of food, 12.3 days of water.

Week 8

1 × Rolled oats (42 oz canister)
1 × Peanut butter (16 oz jar)
2 × Dried pasta (16 oz box)
7 × Water jug (1 gallon)
3 × Baked beans (16 oz can)
1 × Corned beef (12 oz can)
1 × Dry lentils (16 oz bag)
1 × White rice (2 lb bag)

After this week: about 15.3 days of food, 14.0 days of water.

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

The CDC says to keep at least 3 days of water, and 2 weeks if you can. You don't need to buy that all at once. This planner works out your household's total, then shares it across the weeks you choose, so each week's list is about the same size.

The first 3 days' worth comes first: water, and food that doesn't need cooking or a refrigerator. Anything beyond that moves to dry staples, which need cooking.

We never show prices, because they vary by store and by week, and we have no reliable figures. Type what your store charges and your weekly budget if you want, and we'll add up each week and show how long your budget would take. Those numbers come only from you, and stay in this browser.

Food is worked out at 2,000 kcal for an adult and 1,600 for a child a day, the planning figures in the Prep app. Water is 1 gallon per person per day, from Ready.gov and the CDC, and about a quarter of a gallon for a pet, which is our estimate. Calories per pack are typical values. The list is a starting point, so swap in what you usually eat.

Why slowly? Buying a little at a time is easier on your budget, and it means nothing all reaches its date at once. There's no need to buy everything in one trip.

Common questions

How do I start food storage with no extra money?

Start with one extra item on a normal trip, and check what you already have first. Canned food and dry staples you already eat all count.

What should I buy first?

Water, then food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, such as canned meat, beans, nuts and dried fruit. This planner puts those in the first weeks.

How much will it cost?

We don't say, because we have no reliable price data. Type your store's prices into the planner and it'll add them up for you.

How much water should I plan on?

Ready.gov and the CDC say at least 1 gallon per person per day. The CDC says at least 3 days, and 2 weeks if possible. Hot weather, illness and nursing can mean you need more.

Can I change what's on the list?

Yes, please do. It's a starting point. Swap anything for food your household eats, and aim for a similar number of calories. Remember infant formula and any special diets.

Sources

CDC: creating an emergency water supply
Ready.gov: water
Ready.gov: build a kit
USDA FoodData Central (energy per 100 g)

Checked on 2 November 2026. This is an independent tool and not official advice. See sources and method.